Swingletree.



PATBNTED DEC. 18, 1906.

G LAUBE SWINGLETRBE.

APPLIOATION FILED APB..4,1906.

UNITED sTAlTns APnlrnivfr orrion.

GODFRIED LAUBE, OF SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TOALBERT VAN DENBURG, OF HURON, SOUTH DAKOTA.

SWINGLETREE.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 18, 1906.

Application filed April 4, 1906. Serial No. 309,845.

To @Z w/wm it may concer-n:

Be it known that I, GODFRIED LAUBE, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Santa Monica, in the county of Los Angeles andState of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Swingletrees, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inswingletrees g and the invention relates more particularly to a novelform of trace-holder for retaining a trace upon the end of theswingletree.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of positive andreliable means for temporarily holding a trace upon the end of aswingletree, whereby when a strain is exerted upon the trace or tug thesame cannot become displaced from said swingletree.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensivetrace-holder which will be free from all danger of being injured byconstant use.

Brieiiy described, my invention consists in providing` the end of aswingletree with a casing carrying an escutcheon-plate, the swingletreebeing slotted to accommodate the casing, while the escutcheon-plate issecured upon the one side of the swingletree. In the casing is pivotallymounted a bar or button, said bar or button being normally held in avertical position by lugs engaging in recesses formed in the sides ofthe button.

The above construction, together with other details entering into myinvention, will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and,referring to the drawings accompanying this application, like numeralsof reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,in which- Figure l is a plan of the end of a swingletree equipped withmy improved trace-holder. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of theswingletree, illustrating the button of my improved trace-holder inposition to maintain a trace or tug upon the swingletree. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal sectional view of the end of a swingletree equipped with myimproved trace-holder, illustrating the button thereof swung outwardlyto retain a trace or tug upon the swingletree. Fig. 4 is a similar viewillustrating the button housed within the swingletree. Fig. 5 is aperspective view of the end of a swingletree constructed in accordancewith my invention.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the end of a swingletree1, said swingletree being substantially oval in crosssection andprovided with a vertically-disposed slot 2 near its end.

My invention resides in mounting a casing 3 within the slot 2, saidcasing extending approximately through said slot and having its one edgeprovided with an oval escutcheonplate 4, said plate being retained inengagement with the top surface of the swingletree by screws 5 5 orsimilar fastening means. The casing 3` is provided with a transverse pinor shaft 6, upon which is revolubly mounted a button or bar 7, saidbutton or bar having serrated or roughened ends 8 8. The sides of thebutton or bar 7 are provided with diametrically-opposed recesses 9 9,and in said recesses are adapted to engage lugs or protuberances l0 l0,carried by the casing 3, said lugs being adapted to retain the button orbar 7 in a vertical position relative to the swingletree l, whereby whenthe end of a trace or tug ll is placed over the end of the swingletreewhen the button is within its casing said button can be swung to avertical position to retain the trace or tug upon the end of aswingletree 1.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details ofconstruction without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with a swingletree having a slot formed adjacent toits end, of a casing mounted within said slot, an escutcheon-platecarried by the one edge of said casing and adapted to be secured to saidswingletree, a button or bar revolubly mounted in saidcasing, the endsof said button or bar being serrated, the sides of said button or barhaving diametrically-opposed recesses formed and havinganeseuteheonfplate -secured to faces and a lug carried by the easing toen- 1o the swingletree, a, button pivotally hung in gage saiddepression. the easing and having depressions in its side In testimonywhereof I aix my signature flames, and lugs on the casing to engage saidin the presence of two'witnesses; 5 c epressl-ons.

3. A sWingletree having an opening near GODFRIED LAURE' its outer end, aeasing fitted in said opening1 Witnesses: a button pivotally hung in theeasing, said HATTIE R. LAUBE, button having a depression in one of itsside GROVER C. G. LAUBE.

